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A Synopsis of Multitarget Potential Therapeutic Effects of Huperzine A in Diverse Pathologies–Emphasis on Alzheimer’s Disease Pathogenesis

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Abstract

Numerous challenges are confronted when it comes to the recognition of therapeutic agents for treating complex neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The perplexing pathogenicity of AD embodies cholinergic dysfunction, amyloid beta (Aβ) aggregation, neurofibrillary tangle formation, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial disruption along with vicious production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generating oxidative stress. In this frame of reference, drugs with multi target components could prove more advantageous to counter complex pathological mechanisms that are responsible for AD progression. For as much as, medicinal plant based pharmaco-therapies are emerging as potential candidates for AD treatment keeping the efficacy and safety parameters in terms of toxicity and side effects into consideration. Huperzine A (Hup A) is a purified alkaloid compound extracted from a club moss called Huperzia serrata. Several studies have reported both cholinergic and non-cholinergic effects of this compound on AD with significant neuroprotective properties. The present review convenes cumulative demonstrations of neuroprotection provided by Hup A in in vitro, in vivo, and human studies in various pathologies. The underlying molecular mechanisms of its actions have also been discussed. However, more profound evidence would certainly promote the therapeutic implementation of this drug thus furnishing decisive insights into AD therapeutics and various other pathologies along with preventive and curative management.

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Funding

This work was supported by Chulabhorn Graduate Institute and Thailand Science Research and Innovation (Grant Number FFB640035 Project code 50181) Chulabhorn Royal Academy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chulabhorn Graduate Institute, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, 10210, Bangkok, Thailand

    Mayuri Shukla & Piyarat Govitrapong

  2. Center for Research and Innovation, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, 73170, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand

    Prapimpun Wongchitrat

  3. Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand

    Piyarat Govitrapong

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  1. Mayuri Shukla
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  3. Piyarat Govitrapong
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MS wrote the first draft; PW wrote the second draft and PG wrote and finalized the final manuscript. All authors have read and agreed to the final manuscript.

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Shukla, M., Wongchitrat, P. & Govitrapong, P. A Synopsis of Multitarget Potential Therapeutic Effects of Huperzine A in Diverse Pathologies–Emphasis on Alzheimer’s Disease Pathogenesis. Neurochem Res 47, 1166–1182 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-022-03530-2

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